Boston City Campus partners with Soul Candi to teach digital music composition and production

Africa's largest independent dance record label, Soul Candi, has teamed up with Boston City Campus and Business College to offer courses in digital music composition and production. As from this month onwards, students can enrol for these short learning programmes that provide the skills needed to enter the exciting and ever-expanding industry of music production.

"When it comes to allure and street credibility, Soul Candi is part of the very best South African brands," says Janine Hart of Boston City Campus and Business College. "Soul Candi has been nominated for a multitude of awards and their sister label F!Records is behind the Bump series, the biggest selling dance CD series in South African history. They represent the best of the local and global dance music scenes and we believe that our partnership will go a long way in broadening the reach of education in this field."

Initially, Boston City Campus and Business College and the educational and development division of Soul Candi will offer training in digital music composition and production at selected Boston campuses, namely Pretoria Arcadia, Durban City, Johannesburg CBD and Umhlanga Rocks.

"Due to the nature of the training, numbers are limited," explains Andrew Cross of Soul Candi. "But we envisage to increase the number of campuses as well as the number of students as time goes on."

According to Cross, the courses are distinctly contemporary in content and approach and enjoy industry recognition. They seamlessly integrate modern music composition with all the latest music production techniques being used by the world's best hit-making producers. Students undergo both theoretical and practical training and receive a certificate once they pass their theoretical and practical assessments. It's important to note that the training is specifically focused on producing music in the digital space; it is not sound engineering as such. Core subjects are:

Music production with Reason software

Music theory

Cubase and audio engineering theory

Advanced production and post-production

"Over the last decade, music, together with technology, music and music education have made huge leaps forward," he says. "This requires that we evolve with it; dance music, in all its forms is our specialty."

Well-known names that have come through Soul Candi training include Cuber, Shimza and DJ Whisky. Ryan Murgatroyd, alias Crazy White boy, worked for many years as a Soul Candi lecturer and was instrumental in developing course content.

"At the core, we are team of industry professionals who teach and share experience with students to ensure that the quality of the Southern African music industry is at a level that contributes to the global music village," says Cross.

Though it's a highly competitive and dynamic industry, those with the relevant training and with the right commitment and passion should be able to succeed. Careers that you can consider upon completion of training include: DJ/music producer; film score composition; sound and music design for games, TV, film and other multimedia applications; record producer; post production and mastering engineer; recording engineer; and live sound engineering.

To embark on a career and/or studies in digital music composition and production, you do not need to have previous knowledge of music or experience with musical instruments, Cross points out. It goes without saying that you have to love music, be creative and dedicated to get to the top like Crazy White Boy and the others mentioned above.

Prospective students must apply as soon as possible if they wish to secure a place on the Boston City Campus and Business College/Soul Candi full-time digital music composition and production courses. Applications for the first intake close on 17 February; dates for other intakes later this year will be announced in due course.

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